The oldest of Bordeaux’s five first growths and the only property outside the Medoc to be included in the 1855 Classification, Chateau Haut-Brion was founded by Jean de Pontac in 1533. The name derives from the Celtic word briga, meaning “hill” or “high place”, and refers to the gravelly elevated terrain situated between the Le Peuge and Le Serpent streams.

History shows that as early as 1660, Haut-Brion wines were already appreciated at royal tables as evidenced by the purchase of 169 bottles by King Charles II of England, noted in the royal cellar book. Among the wine’s admirers are the famous London diarist Samuel Pepys, and Thomas Jefferson, who had distinguished the wine’s quality long before the 1855 Classification.

Arnaud III de Pontac was responsible for building the estate’s international reputation and for creating a new style of wine that is the basis for all currently classified growths - an era which historians have described as a revolution in winemaking.

Chateau Haut-Brion was acquired by the American financier Clarence Dillon on May 13, 1935 and has been managed by the same family since. Much of the estate’s success is also credited to the Delmas family, who have worked the estate for three generations. Nearly five centuries after the creation of its vineyard and 350 years after the first published mention under its current name, Chateau Haut-Brion remains one of the finest wines in the world today.

The 2010 Haut Brion 2022 Ex-Chateau Release is a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the renowned Bordeaux wine region in France. This exquisite red wine showcases the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the Haut Brion winery. With a rich and deep garnet color, this wine is visually captivating and alluring.

On the nose, this wine offers a complex and enticing bouquet. It opens with intense aromas of dried mushrooms, dark fruits, and plum undertones. Sweet tobacco notes also emerge, adding a delightful layer of complexity. The aroma profile is further enhanced by hints of spice, earth, burning wood, truffle, hot bricks, tar, licorice, espresso, smoke, and blackberry. Each whiff reveals something new and intriguing, making it a sensory delight.

The palate of the 2010 Haut Brion is full-bodied and muscular, showcasing the wine's power and intensity. The tannins are chewy and firm, providing a robust structure that promises excellent aging potential. This wine is a true expression of the Bordeaux style, with impeccable balance and finesse. It has a remarkable sense of purity in the fruit, and each layer of the finish delivers something new and exciting. The finish is incredibly long, expanding and evolving for close to one minute.

Renowned wine critics have lavished praise upon this exceptional vintage. James Suckling awarded it an impressive score of 97 points, describing it as spicy with dried mushroom aromas, dark fruits, plum undertones, and chewy tannins. Jeb Dunnuck bestowed a perfect score of 100 points, calling it a pure perfection and one of the truly legendary wines out there. Jeff Leve also awarded it a perfect score, noting its intensity, concentration, and multifaceted nature.

The 2010 Haut Brion 2022 Ex-Chateau Release is a wine for the ages. It is a wine that demands patience and rewards those who are willing to wait. With its incredible aging potential, this wine will continue to evolve and develop over the next several decades. It is a wine that will only get better with time, making it a remarkable investment for collectors and enthusiasts alike.